Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research

Deepening our understanding of issues confronting contemporary society

The Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research (GCSCR) is dedicated to increasing our understanding of current challenges facing the modern world. Through the application of innovative humanities and social science research, incorporating the knowledge of academics from a broad range of interrelated disciplines, we are at the cutting edge of humanities and social science discourse. Our Centre's research is focused on the following contemporary themes; History, Media and Change; Crises: Communities; Safety and Security, Heritage and Wellbeing and Language, Culture and Belonging.

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History, media and change

The notion of ‘change’ is explored through the lenses of history and media, whilst examining internationalism, Indigenous protest and reform movements, migration and refugee studies, the circulation of radical ideas within populist movements in the post-enlightenment and how minority critics of settler colonialism south to mobilise social justice politics during the first half of the twentieth century.

Theme leaders are: Professor Fiona Paisley and Professor Susan Forde

Crises: Communities, safety and security

We study crises, safety and disasters in contemporary social and political contexts, as well as acknowledging economic and technological developments and their impact. Our research ambition is interdisciplinary with connections between history, media studies, sociology, security studies and other social-scientific fields of inquiry.

Theme leaders are: Professor Sidney Dekker and Associate Professor Halim Rane

Language, culture and belonging

We bring together linguists, sociologists, communication researchers, Islamic studies scholars and cultural experts to investigate language diversity, different ways of belonging, and cultures of resistance. Our work takes place in diverse environments—urban environments, rural and regional locations, online spaces—and considers the complexities of intercultural interaction and lifestyle politics.

Theme leaders are: Professor Cliff Goddard and Professor Andy Bennett

Heritage and well-being

This research theme draws together academics working in diverse areas to develop new research projects on the role and significance of heritage in the contemporary world, as well as new ways to protect and present it for future generations. Potential projects in this theme include an interrogation of the connections between heritage and well-being in varied settings such as Indigenous heritage sites and community institutions involved in preserving popular culture; and connections between heritage, place and memory in increasing understandings of the construction of identity at local, national and international levels.

Theme leaders are: Professor Paul Taçon and Associate Professor Sarah Baker